#dogs look to our hands when we talk they bond with us like our own babies bond to us

[oetscop]

standing in the kitchen doing daily training stuff with my dog thinking about how in iron age egypt someone probably specialized in training working dogs and we'll never know what they did or what their names were. but we know in places with large amounts of livestock bones theres also countless dog bones.

[that-writing-raccoon]

MEET CHAOTIC PROMPTS

Alright, kids, listen up.

We’re all suckers for a good meet-cute. Don’t even try to lie to me. Like, yeah, they’re cliché, but, if done well, it can be really cute, hence the name.

Meet-uglies on the other hand can be super funny, and they almost always lead to enemies-to-lovers or rivals-to-lovers, even if just for a hot second. They’re great, too.

But here’s the thing:

I want more meet-chaotics. Not meet-cutes, not meet-uglies, meet-chaotics.

What do I mean by this?

Well, you know how crazy life can be sometimes? How wack shit happens, it makes a good story to tell your friends, and it makes you low-key question reality for a second? Yeah. Meet-chaotics are like that. How you met is just so weird and chaotic that it was a bonding experience.

Here are some prompts/concepts so you understand what I’m getting at:

“Normal”/Humor:

 “I’m an uber driver dropping off my last customer, and you and your friends(?) just jumped into my backseat right as they got out and yelled a variety of ‘DRIVE! FUCKING DRIVE!’ and ‘FLOOR IT!’ There are flashing lights behind me, but I panicked and stepped on the gas, and now you’re trying to assure me that it’s not what it looks like, but I’m too busy worrying that I’m a wanted criminal now.” 

Bonus points for found family and/or polyamory!

“I’ve had a really bad day, and it started to rain, so, because I’m dramatic, I blasted my ‘*insert playlist name here*’ and lied down on my sidewalk/lawn/driveway facing the sky, and you just drove by, backed up, and ran out to join me as ‘Chasing Cars’ by Snow Patrol was playing. I have never met you before, but I’m pretty sure we’ve bonded and might be soulmates.” (Yes, I got this idea from a TikTok. What of it?).

“I was walking my dog at the park when he got off his leash, and now I’m running after him through the park calling his name and yelling to ‘GET THAT DOG!’ You’re having a barbecue/family reunion/birthday party, and my dog sprints towards you, knocks someone over, and begins eating your food. You see me sprinting towards you and trying to catch my dog, but he’s faster, so now we’re both chasing my dog, and I may or may not be swearing words that’d make a sailor blush. Eventually, one of us or a random stranger catches him, and we finally stop, and, hey, sorry about that, but, wazow! You’re pretty cute.” 

Bonus points for anyone vaulting over a table or something.

“We’re on our way to class, and I just witnessed you run past me down the stairs holding a bunch of books, trip, roll down two flights, and roll to your feet and keep running like nothing happened. And, like, we didn’t talk, and I don’t think you noticed me, but now I can’t help thinking of you. Like, that was impressive, but are you okay?”

“We’re at a house party, and it’s gotten pretty wild. Music is blasting from the speakers, people are dancing on tables, stuff is breaking, etc. Suddenly, the music shuts off, and someone yells, “POLICE!” and everyone s c a t t e r s. It’s pure chaos. I trip while running outside and curl up in a ball to not get trampled, but then a hand reaches down and pulls me up, it’s you, and we run off together still holding hands. Who are you, again?”

Bonus points if this goes back to the uber driver prompt. 

Bonus bonus points if this couple is coming from the same place as the folks from the first prompt, so it’s same universe, but they’re completely different people having their own meet-chaotics running from the police ‘cause they were at the same party.

Could be any illegal/big crowd scenario. A concert, a protest, etc. 

Sci-Fi:

“We live in a world where superheroes exist. One day, I’m minding my own business in my own apartment when you, *insert superhero name here,* crash through my wall while I’m just lounging on the couch, mug of coffee/preferred drink to my lips, feet up on my coffee table, and laptop open on my lap. We stare at each other. You get up, apologize, and fly off through the hole in the wall. Little do I know, you feel bad about the whole thing and decide to try making it up to me, except every thing you try just descends us more and more into chaos.”

Bonus points if this ends up being enemies to lovers, seeing as the protagonist, Character A, would probably be hella bitter about not having the specific superhero insurance needed to fix their wall. 

Bonus bonus points if Superhero has to save A from x during one of their attempts to fix the situation. 

“It’s the zombie apocalypse. I’ve set up camp in a (mostly) abandoned town, scavenging to survive. One day, there’s an unusual amount of zombies in the road. Panicked, I start to climb something. When I’m about halfway up, I hear a weird noise, and look down just in time to see you and your friend whizzing by on a shopping cart down the incline- you in the basket and your friend riding on the back. You’re screaming/yelling and swinging a bat around. The zombies are too slow and uncoordinated to catch up with you. At the last second, you look up at me and we make eye-contact mid-me making at wtf face. It’s such a stupid strategy that I’m low key in love.”

“It’s an alien invasion. We’re all running and screaming for our lives. Suddenly, there’s a spot light, and you start being pulled up into a ship. You panic and grab something. For some unknown, ungodly reason, I try to help you. It goes as well as it sounds. Cue us both getting beamed up while holding on to each other for dear life.”

“We’re on a spaceship. There are so many people on board that it’s impossible to truly know or recognize anyone. I’m working or reading or what have you, when I so happened to glance up at my porthole/window, just in time to see you, who’d been fixing something on the outside of the ship, floating away and doing some space gymnastics with your lead and etc., and swimming, to get back to the ship. I do what anyone responsible would do and sprint off to the docks to get you back safe inside.”

Bonus if Floating Person is just doing the absolute most ridiculous things to make it back.

I have more, but I feel like this post is long enough. But yeah. Something something meeting someone in the most chaotic, stupid, and unhinged way gets to me. Like, we’ve all have shared moments with a stranger because we both witnessed something or been involved in something dumb or crazy. And usually it’s like, eye-contact or brief, awkward commentary, then at the end of the day you go home and it’s just a funny story that only you guys experienced. Something about it just speaks to me.

[junkiepunkie]

Whats that? You want a sneak peek of the next chapter in my wolfstar fic that'll be posted in a few hours? Sure! Here's a flashback scene that comes to Remus in a dream...

December 24th, 1976.

It was getting close to midnight, to the day Sirius and Remus would finally get to join the rest of their friends at the Potter house for their annual Christmas celebrations. Remus had been going since third year, and Sirius since fourth, so they knew the drill. They'd go by flu early the next morning and music would be blaring while presents were being flung from Dorcas to Mary and from Mary to Pete and so on. This year it was even rumoured that Regulus Black may make a brief appearance under the guise of some meeting with Barty. The whole thing always had Remus' nerves working overtime, especially considering the moon was only a day ago. What if he was just as tired as he was now? What if he killed the mood with his new wounds? and how could he explain Sirius'. 

It had all gone wrong. Remus was meant to spend the full moon alone, content with enduring some nasty injuries if it meant not seeing Sirius until he absolutely had to. It had only been a month since the prank, and the boy still weren't on talking terms, but Sirius -stubborn as ever- had decided somehow that it would be a good idea to surprise Remus by staying behind for the holiday and joining him on the full moon. The wolf had freaked out, the betrayal in Remus' head over the prank overriding their usual bond, and clawed Sirius' dog form across one leg. The dog fought back on instinct of course -getting a good few bites and scratches on the wolf's torso- and so suddenly there was a fight. Lucky for Sirius, the wolf had heard some distant cry and got distracted after only one more scratch that wrapped around his lower waist and up his back. The dog had fled by the time the wolf refocused, and the rest of the moon played out almost normally. 

When Remus had woken, Sirius was asleep and just outside the shack, curled up in a ball shivering like Remus always had to on the nights he spent in the decrepit building. Both boys were covered in blood and cuts. He had carried Sirius upstairs and dressed his own wounds while he waited for the boy to wake up. Sirius eventually did, but not until late afternoon, when his gashes were expertly bandaged by the taller boy who'd caused them.

That took them to where they were as the clock closed in on midnight, sitting, record player up loud as they drowned in Bowie record after Bowie record, neither talking at all. The song switched from suffragette city to rock and roll suicide, causing Sirius to snap. The boy stood suddenly, teary eyed and wearing nothing but a vest and a small skirt Remus had handed him from the lost and found so he could wear something that wasn't tight against the bandages on his inner thigh. 

"dance with me." he whispered, so quietly Remus barely believed he'd heard it at all.

Remus looked up at him blankly.

"why?" he scoffed

"because I need you to-"

"yeah? well I'm still not over you trying to murder snap-"

"I DON'T NEED YOU TO FORGIVE ME REMUS!! I JUST- I just need you... us to dance."

The second the first tear streamed down Sirius' cheek Remus was out of his seat and holding him, swaying as easily as most people breathed. He hated Sirius, he reminded himself, but seeing him cry? That wasn't torturing Sirius that was torturing himself. Sirius wrapped his hands round his neck and sobbed into his torso and for a moment their common room was the whole world. 

That world got smaller as the next verse of the song began and Sirius maneuvered his head to be laying on Remus' shoulder, and gently pressed a kiss to the taller boys neck. Remus felt a shiver run up his spine. They had been snogging back and fourth for years, but this was further somehow, more intimate than a kiss on the lips, his head fell back to give Sirius more access to his scarred skin. Sirius allowed a sad smile to be felt against Remus neck as he sucked on the boys pulse point. Remus almost jumped.

"What're you doing?" he asked cautiously "Sirius we aren't..."

Sirius' wet, sad yet beautiful face looked up at Remus "shh... we aren't together, you hate me... I just- I want to give you one happy injury. One good scar." 

It was Remus' turn to cry as he felt Sirius go back to creating a hickey. Remus pulled away, scaring Sirius into thinking he'd overstepped for a split-second, and raised a fingernail to his new mark, without hesitation tearing his skin with it, following the shape of the risen skin.

"there," he sighed wiping any small traces of blood that came from the shallow wound. "werewolf's touch means its permanent."

Sirius began crying again and rushed back into Remus' arms. Remus held him, allowing his hand to run under the thin fabric of Sirius' vest and caressing the edges of the boys new scars, the parts that weren't hidden under a layer of gauze.

Sirius spoke, his words muffled against Remus' skin "bite me."

"what." 

The music, everything, stopped. Remus hunched to Sirius' level and locked eyes with his icy blues. The smaller boy just stared back, his eyes stinging and tinged red.

"I think- I think that's the only way you'll forgive me. You know? If I become one of you. If I feel the pain." 

Remus laughed gently. "oh baby no. No... I love you too much for that."

The air thickened around them. That was the first time he'd said that he loved Sirius. Everything had been passed off as being "between friends" up until this moment. Sirius didn't answer with words, he just pulled Remus' face down to his neck and held it there. Remus smiled,

"this doesn't turn you into a werewolf you know? It just makes you a little more like me."

Sirius pressed his head down farther, "I would die for you. To be with you. Please."

It wasn't a question, it was a demand. Remus did as he was told. Sirius sank to his knees, dragging Remus down with him and then it all flooded back in. The music, the world, the future. Remus broke away and flopped to the ground, laying down inches from the fireplace, and Sirius followed suit. 

"forgiven?" he pleaded.

Remus shook his head. "loved."

Sirius giggled. "I think I can work with that."

Remus turned to face the man he loved, brushing their noses together sweetly. 

Sirius grinned, placing a hand to the new bite on his neck and another on Remus' new mark. He met Remus' eyes peacefully.

"Moony, one day i'm going to marry you."

[bjfinn]

PETEY

(from an idea by @crawlingcoffin)

"Beej, what are you doing?"

Beej whirled around, his hair flashing a mixture of magenta and white that Lydia had never seen before. "Who, me? I ... I-I'm not doing anything! Nope, not little old me! What makes you think I'm doing something?"

"You're hiding something behind your back," Lydia pointed out.

"What? No, I'm not -- see?" And he brought both of his hands forward to show her, turning them over and over. "See?" he said again. "Nothing!"

Lydia scoffed. "You can grow extra arms whenever you want to."

The demon frowned, annoyed that she remembered that.

"Now let's see it."

"No."

That took Lydia by surprise. "What? Why not?"

Beej swallowed nervously. "If I show you, you'll tell everybody," he said. "And they won't let me keep him."

"Beej," Lydia said gently, putting her hands on his shoulders. "You're my best friend. Even when we betrayed you ... even when I killed you, you still wanted to be friends. I promise I won't tell anyone -- it'll be our little secret. But," she added, "only if you show me."

He sighed and nodded, and held out the shoebox. "Be careful," he said. "I think he's hurt."

Lydia lifted the lid and looked inside. There, curled up on an old dishtowel, lay a small animal with coarse grey fur, a white face, and a long snout and tail. It looked dead.

"An opossum!" Lydia gasped.

"I found him by the side of the road," the demon told her. "He was all alone, and I thought maybe he was hurt. Is he hurt?"

"I ... I can't see any injuries," Lydia replied. "But we should take him to the vet, just in case."

"No!" Beej cried. "I found him, I'm gonna take care of him!"

"Beej, listen -- if he's hurt, a vet will be able to fix him better than either of us could. You want him to get better, don't you?"

"But he's my friend! " Beej sobbed. "He needs me! I ... I need him! "

"What are you talking about?"

"I hafta prove that I can take care of him," the demon told her. "That I'm better than ... than ..."

"Than Juno?"

He nodded.

"Okay," she said. "I get it. But a vet can tell us how to take care of him."

Beej's face was a study in warring emotions as he considered this, his hair now a mix of magenta and purple. Finally he relented. "Okay," he said morosely.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "But he's coming home with me afterwards."

*****

"He's about five months old, and his leg is broken," Dr Harris told them after examining the opossum. "But otherwise, he's in good condition. We'll keep him here until he --"

"No! " Beej exclaimed.

"What my ... brother means is we were hoping we could look after him," Lydia explained quickly. "Just until he's better. Beej is really worried about him." She took the vet aside. "BJ's, uh ... autistic," she told him. "And he's bonded with the little guy -- is there any way you could let us take him home with us?"

"Well," Dr Harris said, "it's not like owning a dog or a cat -- he's still a wild animal. If this was last year, I'd have to report it to Fish & Wildlife. But Connecticut recently changed the law, and it is actually legal to own an oppossum in the state now." He smiled gently. "I'll get you some literature ..."

*****

Once they were outside, Beej hugged her tightly. "You're the best!" he laughed, spinning Lydia around in circles. He set her down, and she reeled slightly. "Let's get Petey home!"

"Petey?"

"That's what I'm gonna call him."

"Why 'Petey'?"

" 'Cause he looks like a Petey," he said matter-of-factly. He lifted the lid of the shoebox and peeked inside -- the juvenile opossum, his rear left leg encased in a tiny splint, looked up at the demon and hissed.

Beej grinned. "I think he likes me."

Lydia smirked.

*****

"An opossum? " Charles exclaimed. "No," he said, shaking his head. "We can't keep an opossum in the house -- it's a wild animal."

"Please, Daddy? He's injured," Lydia told him.

"I'm sorry, Pumpkin, but --"

"I've been reading up," she persisted. "They don't usually bite, they don't carry diseases -- and they eat bugs, mice, snakes ... all kinds of pests."

"Just like me," Beej said.

"Well, the eating pests part, at least," Lydia quipped. "And it's just until he's better," she added. "Please, Daddy -- it would mean a lot to me. And Beej."

Charles looked over at the demon, who gave him his best sad-puppy look. He exchanged glances with Delia.

"What do you think?" he asked.

"Well," she said, "we let BJ live here -- and he's a demon." She looked at her adopted son. "And it might be good for him to be responsible for its care and feeding."

Beej nodded encouragingly. "It would be good for me."

"Is it even legal to keep an opossum in Connecticut?"

Lydia nodded. "Dr Harris said it is -- we don't even need a permit."

Charles sighed. "It seems I'm outvoted. All right, he can stay -- but just until he can fend for himself."

"Thanks, Daddy!" Lydia said, throwing her arms around his waist. Suddenly she stepped back and frowned. "Wait -- are you talking about Petey? Or Beej?"

"Har-dee-har-har!" Beej retorted, scowling comically. "Very funny! Laugh it up, scarecrow!"

*****

Late that night, the entire household was jolted awake by a bloodcurdling scream.

Everyone rushed in to the master bedroom to find Charles and Delia sitting bolt upright in the bed, holding each other tightly. Petey was lying in the corner.

Beej went over to the opossum and picked him up gently, fearing the worst, but Petey stirred at his touch and began licking the demon's hand.

"What the hell happened?" Barbara asked.

"I-I'm sorry," Charles said. "I ... he startled me. I didn't mean to ..."

"What happened?" Barbara asked again.

"I was asleep ... he was licking my face ... I didn't hurt him -- I swear to you, BJ! I ... I guess I frightened him when I yelled. I'm so sorry ..."

"It's okay," Delia said. "Petey's okay -- right, BJ?"

The demon nodded, but there were tears in his eyes. "He was just tryna say thank you for letting him stay, weren't you, buddy?"

Charles nodded, his face a mask of anguish. "I know -- it's just ... I was asleep. I'd never do anything to hurt him, BJ -- you must believe me!"

Beej nodded. "I know," he replied. "I know you wouldn't hurt him. I-I'm sorry he scared you -- I'll make sure he stays with me from now on." He lifted the opossum up so that they were face to face. "You gotta stay with me, Petey," he told him. "You can't go wandering around scaring people like that, okay? That's my job."

In reply, the opossum chittered and licked the demon's nose.

"Petey promises not to do that again," Beej said.

"Okay!" Delia said brightly. "Well, now that that's settled, who's in the mood for some tea?"

*****

Within a couple of days, Petey was responding to his name, and would follow Beej around like a puppy -- sometimes the opossum would even ride around on his shoulder, his prehensile tail curled around Beej's arm, snuffling the demon's ear and making him laugh.

He quickly ingratiated himself to the Deetzes and the Maitlands as well, grinning toothily whenever they approached, but Beej was clearly his favourite.

Adam built a little home for him in Beej's room, Lydia bought a case of canned cat food, a bag of kibble and a litter box (which he learned to use within a day), and Barbara began setting aside a portion of cut-up fruit and vegetables -- and sometimes chicken -- for Petey every evening when she was cooking. And true to his word, the opossum no longer wandered into other people's bedrooms at night.

Even Charles warmed up to the animal. "He's ... not so bad," he admitted to Delia one evening. "It seems you were right -- Petey has been good for BJ. And he's not as much trouble as I thought he'd be."

"See?" she replied. "I told you! And really -- who could resist that face? Those crossed eyes, the little pink nose, the whiskers ... he's just so cute!"

"Are we talking about Petey or BJ?" Charles chuckled.

She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed happily. "Our little family just keeps getting bigger and bigger."

"I just hope it doesn't get too big," Charles said. "We'll have to get a bigger house."

*****

"Honestly, I'm really surprised," Lydia said at dinner. "Beej is a pretty good dad -- I didn't think he had it in him. Who knew he could be so patient?"

"Thanks," Beej said.

"Petey brings out the best in him," Delia agreed.

"I think it's because they've got a lot in common," Adam said. "I mean, opossums don't get a lot of love, right? They're kinda scary looking, and they don't smell great, and they eat garbage and bugs ..."

"Just like Beej," Lydia grinned.

"Exactly," Delia nodded. "They're both misunderstood."

"Beej is pretty good with Lily, too," Barbara pointed out. "He's been a big help with her."

"I try," the demon said modestly.

"You certainly do," Delia agreed, patting his hand. "And we're all very proud of you."

Beej's hair blushed pink.

"He and Lily have a lot in common, too," Lydia replied, smirking. "The whining, the crying, the need for constant attention --"

"Hey! " Beej exclaimed indignantly. "I'm sitting right here!"

"-- but we love you anyway," Lydia said, putting her arms around him and giving him an affectionate hug.

*****

"What do you think?" Barbara asked, holding up her latest piece of knitting -- a small black-and-white-striped sweater vest with green trim on the collar, armholes and bottom.

Adam smiled. "It's adorable -- but, uh ... I don't think it'll fit me."

"It's not for you, silly!" she laughed. "It's for Petey."

"You made a sweater for an opossum?" Adam grinned.

"Well, their body temperature is lower than other mammals," she said. "And they don't hibernate -- he'll need something to keep him warm in the winter. And I made it so that I can let it out as he gets bigger."

Adam chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. "I'm sure he'll love it." Then he had a thought. "Beej might get jealous, though," he smirked.

"I thought of that," she replied. "That's why I'm making a matching sweater vest for him."

"If they're both wearing matching sweaters, how will we tell them apart?"

"I'm putting their names on them -- see?" Barbara said with a grin, turning the sweater to show the name PETEY in red on the back.

Adam chuckled again. "Seems you've thought of everything."

"It's almost time for Lily's feeding," Barbara said, putting the sweater away. "Could you get her?"

"Of course," Adam said, and went over to the crib where their ghost-baby daughter was just waking up from her nap. Barbara settled herself in the rocking chair, and Adam placed the infant in his wife's arms.

"I still have a hard time believing that ghosts can breastfeed," he said.

"I still have a hard time believing that ghosts can give birth," Barbara replied. She eased her left breast free of her blouse and shifted her position slightly so that Lily could suckle.

"Hey, guys!" Beej said, appearing suddenly.

"Right on cue," Adam sighed. "You know, you don't have to watch every time."

"I just wanna make sure Babs is doing it right," the demon quipped.

"Where's Petey?" Barbara asked.

"He's takin' a nap," Beej told her. "So I thought I'd come and see if you need any help with ... anything." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Thanks," Barbara chuckled. "But I think I've got this."

"Okay, well ... I'll just stick around. You know, just in case."

"Uh-huh," Adam replied. " 'Just in case'. Right. Well, maybe this time you could try not to drool."

*****

"Petey's important to you, isn't he?" Delia asked. She and Beej were in her studio for the day's session, and the opossum was perched, as usual, on the demon's shoulder.

Beej nodded. "He's just like me," he said. "Misunderstood, like you said."

"Is that why you wanted to take care of him? Because he reminds you of yourself? Or is there another reason?" When the demon didn't answer, she said, "According to Lydia, this is about Juno."

"I'm better than she was," he told her.

"Oh, honey -- of course you are!" Delia exclaimed, hugging him. "You're nothing like her! She was a bitter old woman who didn't know a good thing when she had it. You don't need to prove that you're better than her."

"Yes, I do. I hafta prove it to myself. Besides, everybody else has somebody to take care of. Babs and Sex-- uh, Adam -- have Lily, you and Chuck have Lydia ... I wanna prove that I can take care of somebody, too."

"And you're doing a wonderful job," she smiled. "Petey's growing so fast! And he clearly loves you. You should be very proud of yourself, BJ."

Beej bit his lip, his hair turning pink.

"Now," Delia said. "Time for some yoga."

*****

Petey was lying on the floor, his fur streaked with red.

A few days later, Lydia was awakened before dawn by a thunk. She lay in bed for awhile, waiting to see if the noise would be repeated, and finally she got up and went to the kitchen to investigate. When she got there she froze in shock.

"Oh, God," she gasped, and ran to get everyone.

Beej's hair turned purple when he saw, and he let out a wail and rushed over to the opossum as the others gathered around, holding one another in sorrow.

The demon gently lifted the animal, cradling him in his arms. "No! " he whimpered. "Please, don't be ... don't be dead!"

"BJ," Charles said, "I'm so sorry --"

Beej stroked the coarse fur, and suddenly he got a confused look on his face. "What the fuck? This ... this isn't blood," he said. He brought his fingers to his nose, and then he gave them a tentative taste. "It's ... strawberry jam??? "

"Oh, God!" Lydia exclaimed. "I got hungry last night and I made myself a PB&J -- I must've forgotten to put the jam away!"

"So he's not dead?" Adam asked.

"He's just overdosed on sugar!" Barbara giggled in relief.

Sure enough, Petey woke up and looked at Beej, his crossed eyes trying to focus, and he began slobbering and rubbing his face against the demon's hand.

"He's okay! " Beej sobbed happily. "You're okay!" He hugged the opossum happily, his hair bright green. "You can't scare me like that, Petey -- I'm the demon, not you! "

Petey chittered in reply.

"I don't care," the demon chided him. "You're not supposed to eat an entire jar of jam! Yeah, I know it's good, but that's too much -- you coulda made yourself really sick. Now, let's get you cleaned up, okay? And promise me that you won't do anything like that again."

The opossum chittered again.

"Okay," Beej replied. "He's learned his lesson."

"So have I," Lydia said. "No more midnight snacks. Sorry, Beej."

*****

"He's progressing very nicely," Dr Harris said when they brought Petey in to get the cast removed. "The two of you have done a fine job looking after him -- he's already reached full size."

"Thanks," Beej said, smiling. He reached out his hand and Petey quickly climbed up Beej's arm to sit on the demon's shoulder, where he began chittering and licking Beej's ear, his long tail curled around Beej's bicep. "Hey!" Beej giggled. "That tickles!"

Dr Harris shook his head. "That's amazing," he said. "Opossums aren't normally so affectionate."

"They ... have a lot in common," Lydia told him with a wry grin. "Is that why he's so much ... fluffier now? Because we've been taking care of him?"

The vet nodded. "It's something that seems to happen with opossums -- once they're domesticated, they get fluffier and more appealing. And smarter, too. It's as if domestication allows them to reach their full potential."

"Petey's got a lot of potential," Beej said. He looked down at his feet. "I love him so much. And ... and he loves me." He brushed away the tears that suddenly filled his eyes.

Lydia put a hand on his other shoulder and smiled warmly. Then she turned to the vet, a look of concern in her eyes. "I read that opossums only live, like, about one or two years," she said.

Dr Harris nodded. "In the wild, yes -- unfortunately, they don't really have any defenses against predators, except for the whole playing dead thing ... and, of course, none at all against becoming road kill. But in captivity, with proper care, they can sometimes live a good four to seven years or more." He smiled. "I think Petey will have a long and happy life with you and your brother."

[lin-lll]

Hi yes, as Ethan's auntie 💅💅 I am dying to know about him (story, height, age, anything you wanna share)

And also don't forget to hydrate and eat well 💖

Hi! I’m glad you asked<333

So he was born in 33BBY and he’s 1.9 meters tall, his eye color/representative color is klein blue💙

I often refer to him as a Maine Coon because he's big and so clingy and has the personality of a dog but is a cat🐈‍⬛🐾

——————————

Well, about his story, I tried to consolidate in a clueless bunch of chats I had with a friend of mine, and I hope it doesn't look too ridiculous💦

So basically he became Eno Cordova's apprentice (after Cere Junda) when he was about twelve years old and then, we all know what happened after that-Order 66-Ethan was hidden by his master in Bogano so he survived, and then for the next five years Ethan lived on his own in Bogano.

Thanks to BD-1’s company, he was able to survive until Cal Kestis came to Bogano and found him at 14BBY.

——————————

Ethan's first impression is that he's confident and poised, but once you get to know him well, you’ll realize he's actually a childish and boisterous person.

He's also very curious and likes to act cute around people - maybe it's his master's fault for spoiling him so much, considering Master Cordova's own curiosity is also very strong🙂‍↕️ Also resembling his master, Ethan is always gentle and smiling but can be intimidating when necessary, seemingly unreliable but with everything in his plan.

——————————

His mental condition wasn't very good for those five years, lets just say that living in isolation was too fatal for such a kid who needed emotional interaction so much, plus he had studied too much ancient history with his master and seen too many civilizations fall and rise so he was actually a bit of a nihilist(?) at the time, he was forced to live with the chaotic thoughts in his head causing him to become very paranoid for a time, for a while he was almost like a wild animal.

During a battle with a Bog Rat Ethan had to chop off his padawan braid to prevent the situation from getting worse (unfortunately it bit his padawan braid) , at that point he had a complete mental breakdown but at the same time finally realized that he couldn't go on like this, so Ethan finally decided to put himself back together and start trying to live the Jedi way again, even if in the end he might just die alone in Bogano. (He also has a claw mark on his back left by a Bog Rat, okay our boy really hates that creature🥲)

These five years of isolation have left him with some separation anxiety and possessive/controlling of those around him (although he hides it well)

Ethan is the type of person who expresses love directly to those around him and he enjoys physical contact.

Although Ethan always encourages those around him to express themselves, he prefers to work through his trauma on his own.(Similar to wild animals hiding their injuries for fear of being taken as prey)

——————————

So don't blame him for falling in love at first sight with Cal Kestis after five years of total isolation, plus the redheaded Jedi and him had similar experiences, were of similar ages, and were cute as hell😭💘

(Well, Ethan tried to convince himself that it was just an imprinting effect, but no, it didn't work, and every day afterward he found himself falling deeper in love)

——————————

Though it wasn't for long, Ethan developed a deep bond with his master, during those five years Ethan would often clutch his padawan braid and watch the holographic recordings left by Master Cordova over and over again, a habit he kept after he followed Cal to join the Mantis Crew, and you can occasionally see Ethan making a gesture with his hand to hold his no-longer-existent padawan braid when he in a daze or in thought.

——————————

That's all I can think of at the moment, I hope I didn't talk too much💦💦💦

(Sorry if some of my words are weird because I used a translator)

Thank you again for asking me about Ethan, and feel free to ask me more about him anytime 💕💕💕

Hope you have a good day!🥰🫶

[magicspace114]

New faces - pack bonds

It happened not long after you'd shielded Toby from Freddy but now, the little alien had started putting more trust in you. They were no longer passing out when they needed sleep but blissfully curling up on your lap while you watched movies.

Your understanding of alien family bonds was very unclear after hearing what Toby had told you about their own parents. You were still caught up on the fact that they were somehow involved with Toby being sent here on their own.

Your hand moved down from their curly hair to the rings of metal around their wrists. Restraints, they'd called them. Restraints for a child. It wasn't right. You ran your thumb over them, wondering if there was some way to release the kid from them. Your older brother was pretty good with locks, perhaps he could help.

Of course, there was the other problem; telling your family. How do you tell your very scary family that you've essentially adopted an alien child that had broken into your apartment and put a hole in your wall?

You sighed and took out your phone, calling up your mother. She answered after the first couple rings. "Mayflower! It's been a while."

"It's been three days."

"And we only met up for half an hour before you had to leave."

"Right, sorry." You nodded, "listen, I've got someone to introduce to the family and I think you'd be the best person they meet first."

"Oh? Another boyfriend? As long as he's not like that Freddy guy-"

"No, mum," you shook your head, "this is a kid. They need help and I've been taking care of them."

"How young?"

"About fourteen."

"O-kay," your mother sounded unsure, "I am good with kids but so is your father and your brother's not too bad himself. Is there something wrong?"

"Well... I can't say over the phone. You wouldn't believe me."

"You're sounding a bit... ominous. Are you in trouble or something? You haven't illegally acquired this kid, have you?"

"Uhhh," you paused, "technically I have but I didn't kidnap them. They just appeared in my home and I'm not their legal guardian."

"May," your mother scoffed, "you're supposed to be my little perfect citizen out of my children."

You let out a huff, "mum, if you wanted children who followed the law to a tee, you shouldn't have married dad."

"I know, I know," she chuckled, "I can come around to meet this child today if you're free."

"Yeah, that would be great. Thanks, mum."

"Anything for my little flower." Your mother hung up and you looked down as you felt Toby shift.

They blinked open their eyes and let out a small bleat as they looked up at you. You chuckled, "hello, sleepyhead."

"Huh?" Toby looked around, realising they were laid on your lap in front of the TV before slowly sitting up. "Sorry for sleeping on you."

"It's fine," you kept an arm around them as they sat up, "listen, my mum's gonna come over today to meet you."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I didn't say too much over the phone so we've got to do a bit of explaining when we see her."

"Will she... accept me?" Toby asked.

"I think so," you nodded, "you're still a kid and she knows it so she'll treat you well."

"Is- does this mean I'll become part of your pack?"

"Pack?" You tilted your head.

"Yeah, your pack, or herd? I think it's meant to be pack." Toby quizzed over the words. "There's talk that human pack bonds are some of the strongest bonds in the galaxy and that you create these bonds with things that aren't even other humans."

"It's weird to hear it be called 'pack bonds'" you chuckled, "we usually use the word family to describe our groups and yes, we create these bonds with some animals like cats or dogs."

"Would I become part of your 'family'?"

You smiled, "yes. If all introductions go well, you'd become part of my family and have not only my protection but my parents and older brother's protection too."

"H-how do I make a good impression? Is there something I should do?"

"Just be you," you pat the top of their head, "I can do a lot of the explaining but like I said, you're a kid and my mother knows this so you'll get more consideration." Toby let out a bleat. "It's going to be ok. How about we get some food while we wait." Toby nodded and followed you into the kitchen.

~

Some time passed before there was a knock on the door. You and Toby were still eating lunch in the kitchen. You put your sandwich down, "stay here. I'll get it." You wiped your hands on your jeans before opened the door a crack.

On the other side was a brunette woman that was only slightly shorter than you and carrying a small backpack on her shoulder. Despite being older, her skin was in good condition with only crows feet showing at her eyes and a large collection of freckles on her tanned cheeks.

"May," she smiled, opening her arms in invitation.

"Mum," you hugged her immediately, happy to see your mother again, even if it hasn't been that long since you last saw her.

"Now where's this kid I'm meant to meet," she asked as you let her inside, closing the door again.

"First thing, mum, they're very different from any kid you've seen before," you said carefully, "and they're also pretty nervous about meeting other people. When I first saw them, they ran from me."

"What's that hole in the wall?" Your mother immediately pointed out the large dent.

"Yeah, they kinda ran into the wall while running away from me."

"Are they alright?" Your mother asked.

"They were already hurt before that. I've put stitches in to help heal it all." You looked over at the kitchen to see the top of Toby's hair sticking out over the counter they were hiding behind. "Toby? Would you like to come out here?"

Toby crept to the doorway, peeking their head out carefully but still not getting any closer. Your mother squinted on seeing them, her brain needing a chance to catch up with the non-human features Toby had. Just like you, your mother went very quiet and still on meeting the kid, not really processing fast enough that this was a real alien.

"Toby," you held your hand out for Toby to grab and they left the wall they were hugging to stand in your shadow, hugging your arm to their chest.

"Toby is- is uh-" your mother blinked.

"That was my reaction the first time too," you chuckled, "they're an alien. This is why I didn't want to say over the phone."

"Uh- is it ok to call them an alien? Is that not offensive?" Your mother asked.

"That's true, what is your species called, Tobs?"

"I- I'm an Ovec," Toby let out a nervous bleat.

"An Ovec," your mother nodded. "How did you get here?"

"I- was sent here," Toby squeezed your arm, "my- I- uh-" they let out more nervous bleats.

"Breathe, Toby, it's ok. You're safe, just keep breathing." You said, running your free hand over one of their hands.

"I'm sorry," Toby said through bleats, "I don't mean to make so much noise, sorry."

"It's alright," your mother said in a voice like honey. You knew right away on hearing that voice that she had softened from her previous surprise. She crouched to a similar level to Toby and Toby looked down. "I'm May's mother, Julia."

"I- I'm Totobyc M-Maechislovic III but May calls me Toby." Toby introduced, purposefully avoiding eye contact.

They flinched when your mother reached for them. She didn't stop her movement but she was still slow and gentle as she put her hand on Toby's shoulder, "it's lovely to meet you, Toby."

"Really?" Toby looked up briefly to see your mother smiling.

"Of course," she said, "you don't have anything to fear from us."

"You should have seen them when we went grocery shopping, they were very excited and it was adorable," you said, booping their snout.

Toby let out a bleat of offence and your mother laughed. "Oh, my husband will love you. I'm not sure how James will be though."

"I actually need James' help with something actually," you said, crouching down with your mother and showing off Toby's wrists where the metal bands are, "I was thinking of a way to get these off and he's always better at this sort of thing than I am."

"I don't think you can," Toby said, "they unlock with a specific digital key. You'd need the key to unlock them."

"James specialises in not using a key," you smiled.

"What are these bands?" Your mother asked.

"Restraints," you and Toby said together.

Your mother got this dark look on her face after hearing that and while Toby shrunk under it, you felt the spark of righteous fury reignite in your chest and you returned the look with a nod.

"I'll call your brother and tell him to bring his tools," your mother nodded at you and took out her phone.

&lt; Previous

Next >

[bi-lavelent]

Lone Wolf (Quinn Fabray x Fem-Reader Part 3)

Warning: Fluff, Angst, Cussing, Bullying

I was at work at the local car shop. Which was nice know that I knew the owners son was that gay kid in glee. I didn’t want to out him. He deserved to go on his own journey just as much as I did. We both noticed each other we both had a somewhat okay gaydar. But when we both dress like and act and sit and talk like the extremes of both. He could easily tell that I was a lesbian and I could easily tell that he was gay. But since neither of us had come out at yet in different ways. Everyone at school could tell he was gay even if he hadn’t come out and said it and the same for me only my parents knew and the school didn’t know at all. His dad didn’t know that he was gay.

Me and Kurt had bonded really fast and really easily maybe it was the fact that neither of us felt judgement with each other unlike everyone else at the school and everyone else is stupid fucking Lima Ohio.

We were doing some horrible dance moves. Mr.Schue clearly didn’t know what he was doing. Rachel obnoxious as ever but was actually right in this scenario spoke up about how bad they were.

Quinn called Mr.Schue out about how he didn’t try after high school. I got a tight feeling in my stomach when she was talking to him. I hadn’t gotten to know her well but we have talked a couple times and by talked I mean I have said hi when she would drop my sister off after cheer practice. I mean she was the head cheerleader for a reason she was incredibly hot. Finn was so lucky to have her and yet he was still pinning over Rachel.

Mr.Schue didn’t show up to glee after what Rachel said.

Six weeks later:

Mr.Schue still hadn’t showed up to glee and when he was there we still didn’t learn anything. So Rachel decided that she would bake him cookies and beg him to come back to glee. She came in cookies still in hand and no Mr.Schue she was explaining what he said; but all you could think about was those cookies.

“Hay, Human contraceptive if no one’s gonna eat those cookies. I’m gonna need them to inspect them to make sure that you didn’t try to poison our teacher.” I said

You saw Santana crack a smile at the nickname that you had given her for beery. Although the cheerios were still trying to keep their heads down and didn’t talk much. You could hear there smile on her face.

Finn was the only one who actually made sense in that meeting. We were the only two who didn’t want to hire this Wyoming Stanley guy that they were wanting to hire for training.

the next day as I was walking through the halls Mercedes looked sad so I stopped. To talk to her and make sure she was okay. Me and her weren’t that close but she looked like Bambi when his mom was shot. When she started talking to me.

“Hi y/n” Mercedes said

I glanced to see where she was looking Santana and Puck looked like a dog was trying to resuscitate an angle. Puck being the dog and Santana being the angel. I never understood why cheerleaders are these hot ass women and football players are these ugly ass men. It’s like those weird celebrity marriages like Cate Blanchett and her husband, or Beyoncé and Jay-Z. But the more I stood by her I realized she was looking at all the couples she just wanted somebody to date her and she deserved it I mean she wasn’t my type but she was good looking.

“Sup Mercedes are you okay?” I asked

Kurt came over

“Hello Y/n, Mercedes.” Kurt said

“Hey” I said as started to drift off thinking about what Santana would look like not wearing that cheerio outfit. Would she even have a good sense of fashion. What if she was wearing nothing. Good that a good picture.

Mercedes and Kurt started talking about how they have never kissed anyone. I tuned back into what they were saying although I wish I hadn’t. They started talking about how they were on the bottom of the social pyramid and then

Kurt said “Special Ed kids will get more play than we will.”his face changed when he said special ed

I walked away somewhat thrown a back by how mean Kurt could be; but then I realized that nobody knew that I was autistic and that’s what even thinking about them makes other people uncomfortable even people in glee. I realized that I had walked to coach Sues office and I was crying.

I would usually come in here when the comments other kids made got to be too much. She didn’t much. She didn’t mind as long as I didn’t break anything. Me and Kurt I thought had gotten close I was planning on telling him that I had autism something I don’t ever really tell anyone. When I had to tell his dad for business reasons he was extremely accepting and accommodating; but Kurt I guess wasn’t what I thought he was.

We all showed up to that Vocal Adrenaline place. We had planned a field trip around it I wasn’t going to go. But seeing as only three of the people in glee had cars. I was forced to go and drive people to it. When we all arrived I didn’t care what anyone was saying until Mercedes said that we all looked like we had stepped off the short bus. I stayed behind the group so that I wouldn’t hear anymore comments they said for being an accepting group they really didn’t do that much accepting of other people.

I watched as Mercedes tried to flirt with Kurt. I mentally slapped Myself in the face. I felt for her too though don’t get me wrong as a lesbian women who has had several crushes on straight women the pain of knowing they could never be with you and you can’t fix it hurts.

We watched Vocal Adrenaline. They all moved in perfect unison it was like watching a cult summon a demon. A demon called Dakota Stanley. We walked up to his car after we watched them and Rachel and Tina talked to them.

I saw the face of the cheerios. They had a plan to use Dakota to end glee. Too bad it cost 10,000$ to get him. There was no way we were going to get that money.

Santana and Puck had broken up right before we went to see vocal adrenaline. She said she needed a man with a better credit score; which I guess she believes to be true. But I have seen her check out a couple of chics. In glee club I always see her staring at Brittnay she frowns when she doesn't look at her and smiles when she looks at her. It reminded me of me my sophomore year hopefully it works better for them than it did for me. I fell so deeply into the crush but she had a boyfriend she was a senior and is now married to him and has a baby.

We had a ton of Cheerios in bikinis and there skirts help us with our car wash. Clearly Sue had alterer motives. But it felt nice and like a bonding experience. Me, my sister, Quinn, Brittnay, and Santana were all washing a car and having fun. Brittnay had the hose which I said was a horrible idea which was she ended up spraying all four of us with the hose. Which felt good until I saw that the other three had make up running down their face. I ran over to my purse which was over by the benches far away from the water. I grabbed my box of make-up wipes and headed back over to the girls.

Well I was gone apparently Mercedes and Kurt got into a fight and Mercedes smashed Kurt’s car window. Which I would inevitably have to fix at the shop. I handed the girls a mirror from my bag and my box of makeup wipes. Santanas hand stayed on my wet shirt a little too long. She was touching my abs. Not that I was complaining but to the point where others noticed. Quinn, My sister and Brittnay were staring at her hand. She quickly removed it when she noticed.

Our next glee club meeting that Dakota Stanley person showed up. He had us all stand in a line and take a packet to change our diet. I was standing next to Santana she looked at my diet which consisted of water. I was pretty sure I looked good so why was he having me change. Sue was as hard on me about my health as she was in the Cheerios if not more. He skipped Artie for some reason which he said was because cripples can’t be on the team. He went around criticizing the whole team except for the cheerleaders calling them perfect he reminded me of my mother. Then he went to me to criticize me. Which I wasn’t gonna let happen the only person I let talk bad about me had to buy me dinner first and the had to be laying naked with me in bed.

“Now you…. you look disgusting and revolting. You look like something my cat vomited up you’ll be in the very back so that no one can see you.” Dakota Stanley said

“Okay, no you don’t get to talk to me the way you’re talking to them. The only time I want someone to talk to me like that is when they are on top of me and those people can never be picked up by every person in this room. Because they are so small that it looks like they are one of those growing sponge animals who haven’t been put in water yet. So how about you shut up grumpy from Snow White. Look we’re all perfect because if you don’t have a packet to change the way you look. Which is like Golum had a baby with Cat. Then why should we because for you I have a diet book breakfast is Suck Lunch is My Dinner is Dick making an overall meal of Suck My Dick.” I said after he criticized everyone else in the room. Rachel told him he was fired. Which is sad because he would have fit in so well with his view on mentally disabled people.

I stayed late at school knowing that it was PTA night. I didn’t go near the section where the adults are. I stayed until everyone left then I went to Sues office and slept. Me and my mom got into a huge fight again.

The next day I was walking down the hallway and overheard Kurt come out to Mercedes. I was so proud of him I was not ready to the point of coming out yet but I was proud of him.

Me, my sister, Quinn and Santana we’re is Sue’s office. She was disappointed in the cheerios for failing at ending glee club and revoked their tanning privileges. Santana ran off crying over it and Hope (my sister) ran after her. Along with Quinn but before Quinn left she said something to Coach Sue

Quinn said “I wanna thank you”

Sue said “for what” snarky as ever

Quinn said “for teaching me a valuable life lesson, when you really believe in yourself you don’t have to bring other people down.”

god she was hot, smart and willing to stand up to Sue. She was my dream woman meaning I was hoping Finn cheated on her and she ran into my arms.

[ashboy-3]

Forming Bonds

Written for Danny May 2023 Day 21 Prompt: Shattered Fandom: Danny Phantom Characters: Danny, Clockwork, Frostbite, minor OC Words: 1069 Summary: Danny has been King for over fifty years now and it's starting to get a little boring being in the castle all by himself. When a situation with a ghost comes Danny has just the solution

“Having fun?” Clockwork asked floating into the throne room.

“It’s been a boring few days,” Danny sighed as he flipped himself upside down. “Anything that I can do oh great master of time?” Danny asked, a cocky smile on his face.

“I have something that could use your attention,” Clockwork offered as he handed Danny the file.

“So what is it?” Danny asked, flipping through the papers, never reading.

“You’ve been king for over fifty years and you still don’t read the reports,” Clockwork shook his head.

“Not my fault. I read the super important things, but this is something that you could easily tell me,” Danny shrugged.

“A child ghost was found causing trouble in one of the further realms. Died recently, but no one was there to care for him and his core has started to shatter. Think you can fix the core or at least bring him back here for Frostbite to fix?” Clockwork asked.

“I’ve never fixed a shattered core before,” Danny thought as he looked at his ring. The voices of the ring and crown in his head are normal at this point.

“It’s not an easy task, but if we can’t fix the core we will have to give him a final death. I know it’s not a happy thought, but it’s like a sick dog. We could keep the child alive but he will be in misery. A shattered core is one of the most painful things a ghost, especially one that hasn’t been dead long and can go through,” Danny was thinking it over as Clockwork explained.

“I’ll be back in about let’s say twenty minutes?” Danny smirked as he disappeared with a snap of his fingers.

“Ever since he learned that trick he uses it every time he can,” Clockwork rolled his eyes, but waited nonetheless as Danny appeared again holding a small shaking ghost child.

“He’s not doing too well, doesn’t remember who he was when he was alive and the core is causing extreme pain. I don’t know if I can fix it. The crown and ring aren’t helping. We might have to go to frostbite with this one,” Danny looked down.

“I already have frostbite on standby,” Clockwork led the king toward a room set up with Frostbite and his doctors.

Danny easily handed the child over to the yetis as Clockwork talked to him.

“Do you know why his core started to shatter?” Danny asked.

“I suppose your lessons haven’t covered this yet, but when a new ghost is formed, especially that of a child, they need a parent ghost. Someone to help teach them how to feed from the pure ectoplasm and get rid of the extra energy within them. If they have too much energy and don’t know how to use it this can cause the core to start to shatter.”

“Why wasn’t my core ever shattered?” Danny asked.

“We found you in time. Cores are strange things that we still do not have full information on. We know they have to be developed but a core shattering all depends on the ghost and the will of the ghost. You still went into the zone and Amity had plenty of wild ectoplasm in the human realm. You used your powers often so you fed and got rid of the extra energy often. Then you were found by your allies such as Frostbite and myself. We took you in and gave you lessons. Helped you develop your core to its full potential. Even unlocking its element,” Danny looked up in surprise.

“You mean my ice core?” 

“Well, not every ghost has an elemental core. Those have to be unlocked by a powerful ghost,” Clockwork informed him, laughing at Danny’s amazed face. “Nothing to do now, but wait,” the ghost floated away leaving Danny to wait.

“Well great one, the child is fine. We were able to repair the core. The child will need a parent ghost. Once the child is awake and feeling better I’ll bring him to Dora’s kingdom. They're always accepting of new ghosts,” Frostbite said, looking towards the door.

“Could I be the ghost parent?” Danny asked.

“Are you sure great one? I know in your human years you’ve been considered of age for a great while now, but in ghost years you just barely ended your teenage years?” Frostbite asked, shocked at the words that came out of Danny’s mouth.

“I’m sure. I don’t mind. Plus it might make my life more exciting. I’ll have yours and Clockworks help if I need anything,” Danny said, gently opening the door to look inside. The shaking child that Danny had rescued just a day ago was now sleeping calmly.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Danny smiled at the yeti.

“Then I’ll leave you with his care package. The child will be thankful my king,” Frostbite smiled.

It was two days later when the ghost child woke up.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” Danny asked.

“I was in so much pain. I was tired and hungry and just in pain. Am I better now?” the small ghost asked.

“Yep! I found you and we were able to fix your core. To make sure it doesn’t happen again I was wondering if you wanted to stay here with me?” Danny asked gesturing to the room.

“What about my family? I don’t fully remember them. I was sick and I remember my mommy telling me that I was going to go away for a long time. Later that night it was dark,” the small ghost asked quietly.

“We had a feeling that you wouldn’t remember. Well, you were really sick and died. An older ghost wasn’t able to find you in time to take care of you so your core ended up shattering. I’m willing to be your parent ghost,” Danny informed the child.

“So I don’t have to leave?”

“You can stay here as long as you want,” Danny assured him,

“I would like that very much Mr. Danny sir,” the ghost said politely.

“Don’t call me sir,” Danny laughed as the ghost blushed.

“I’m sorry!” 

“Don’t apologize. I don’t like formal titles. You can call me really anything you like. Most just call me Danny. What’s your name?”

“Lyle,” the small ghost said.

“Well, Lyle let me be the first to welcome you to Phantom’s keep,” Danny smiled as the ghost hugged him and thanked him.

[anutama]

Heal your Heart Chakra if you want to succeed in your relationships

As the fourth primary chakra, ‘Anahata’ or the Heart Chakra is the base for unconditional love, empathy, and forgiveness. When it gets out of balance or is blocked, you are bound to feel unloved, unworthy, uncared for, less forgiving, and fearful. It can further affect your mental state and make you manipulative – not letting you resolve the relationship issues without scuffles. A healthy Heart Chakra, on the other hand, will make you enjoy every bit of life and expose you to the beautiful experiences, especially in relationships. A healthy heart is the base for peace, serenity, and belongingness.

What is the connection between the Heart Chakra and Relationships?

Anahata, your Heart Chakra, is precious. It enables you to receive and give love and accept yourself. You need to take care of it at all cost. Once blocked, the Heart Chakra can actually make you lose yourself and affect your relationship with your lover or the loved ones. Please don’t worry yet! Heart is the most sensitive part of us and it’s bound to feel the heat of our thoughts. Good thing is we can easily align our Chakras if we are aware of certain facts related to them.

Let us take you through the symptoms of a blocked Heart Chakra. It shall then be easier for you to understand the suffering in a better way when you feel dejected and depressed in your relationships:

You can’t let go of the painful past – it keeps popping up in your mind and talks.

You either tend to isolate yourself or feel overly defensive.

You do not just dwell on the past, but hold grudges against those you love.

You feel empty and lonely even when surrounded by the materialistic pleasures of life and most loving people.

You feel jealous and put on the victim show for the most part.

Most importantly, you develop trust issues and protect your possessions like a miser.

Hey! Is it beginning to fret you already? Please do not let it! The Chakra blockages are common because eventually, we are humans, with emotions. Trust me, it’s easier to bring back your Heart Chakra to a balance. However, it’s not effortless. You will need to put in the work if you want to lead a life full of joy and compassion, away from agony and distress.

Some Tips to help you bring back your Heart Chakra into balance

Be Grateful for life and the experiences – take the lessons, forget the hurt.

Get yourself a reality check! Practice Yoga instead of binging on the Yoga Reels on Instagram. Cobra Pose, Dog Pose, Bridge Pose, are a few simple Yoga asanas to try.

Please, and please, do some Neck Exercises every day!

Light a Pink Candle on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, if you can then do it every evening. Set an intention while looking at the candle flame, “I am loved. I am lovable.”

Participate in the Love & Kindness workshops. Look around and you shall find a range of genuine philosophers preaching Chakra balancing tips. Find yourself a spot somewhere.

Affirm for 21 days straight! Take your notebook or a diary and write, “Love comes to me easily and it loves my company” for twenty-one days. Do it, especially when you are at your lowest.

Place an uncut medium size Rose Quartz at home, near you. Or, wear a Rose Quartz bracelet.

Sleep with an Amethyst Crystal under your pillow. It starts working from the 1st night itself. Do not forget to charge your crystals though.

You can diffuse Frankincense Essential Oil in your environment, or get the Frankincense Incense Sticks.

Drink Rose Tea or Chamomile Tea for instant relief.

Spend some time in the garden full of greenery.

Love your own company and learn to spend time with your lonesome.

Most important. WAKE UP WITH A SMILE AND HUG YOURSELF – THE FIRST THING!

What, are you still thinking and expecting a magic to happen? Go on. Protect yourself. Only you have the power and leverage to protect your inner peace and vibe with life. As they say, no one is coming to save you. A balanced Anahata will help you bond with your inner child, and maintain a healthy balance between your head and heart. Be green. Feel green.

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[zzmemes]

Young Drunk Punk sentence starters part two

“You know that dream where you’re walking through high school in your underwear? I think I’m having it right now.”

“Your excitement depresses me.”

“My boots squeak.”

“Keep your head down, do your job, try not to have so many... Feelings.”

“Not really seeing the joke part.”

“You are here to fix the toilet, right?”

“I’m so ticked off I could spit tacks.”

“It was an accident! I was thrown off my game! There were panties in full view!”

“I got a job with the Flames.”

“This is my house. I live here.”

“See, the thing about this job is you’ve got to bury your anger deep inside, it’s called being professional.”

“I refuse to stand here and take advice from some pervert who steals a hairclip when there’s a pair of perfectly good panties staring him right in the face.”

“So anyway, a little about me: I like to have fun, I only need about an hour of sleep every three days, I like to watch a good fight, don’t mind a little blood, but I could also stay in and watch a cuddle movie.”

“I’ll ask questions with my mouth and answer them with my fists!”

“I don’t think confrontation is what’s required here.”

“You bury your anger for a reason: to keep it safe for when you want to pull it out and use it!”

“The sexiest thing a woman can wear is a fur coat with nothing underneath.”

“Is there any karate in this movie?”

“Yes, we wouldn’t want to alarm our women, would we?”

“I need to commandeer your sandwich.”

“Crazy things are happening. Blood, satanists; I don’t wanna die!”

“I like big dogs and small tops.”

“Let’s do that thing you think about when you look at me.”

“He says he saw a meteor, tripped, hit his head... Story checks out.”

“I just wanted to make a simple brilliant indictment of society. Is that too much to ask?”

“Well, that was unexpectedly powerful. I tip my hat, you talented bastard.”

“Not everything is sexual.”

“Look, there are only three things that a man can talk about with his son in order to bond. Building a deck, slaying a caribou, and admiring the female form.”

“Are you picturing having sex with my mom?”

“I came in through the window but I can’t tell you which one cuz then you’d fix it.”

“Stretch and find your chi.”

“I have to warn you, though, I’ve got a pretty good stroke. I’ll go easy on you, though; I’ll only use one hand.”

“Don’t you worry, I’ll show you a few moves. But I think we both know who’s gonna end up on top.”

“I’m tired of being treated like a sex object just because I’m sexy.”

“See, you’re finally starting to understand us women.”

“Sir. I am both flattered and indignant.”

“Maybe I just think that porn isn’t a team sport.”

“She’s got a good point, I just wish she was bendin’ over when she made it.”

“I hope you didn’t wash your eyes today because you’re about to see somethin’ dirty.”

“I like you but I’m starting to think we’re jinxed.”

“The funeral’s Saturday. Better not have any plans.”

“Everyone deals with grief in their own ways.”

“Religion can’t help you, but scotch can.”

“You’re not totally naked, you’re wearing an oven mitt.”

“Funerals are the ultimate turn-on for girls. They’re practically a panty-peeler.”

“I don’t know if I can do this. Maybe I’m not as strong as everyone thinks I am.”

“I have to say, you’re actually quite sexy when you’re emotionally vulnerable.”

“Let’s face it, all anyone remembers of that party is you standing on your tippy-toes, full-on kissing a man.”

“You only see her horrible side. I get to see her good side. The side where she takes all her clothes off.”

“Sounds a lot better than that guy who tried to undo your bra with his feet.”

“Psh, yeah, like we could afford a unicorn.”

“Is it supposed to be this color?”

[the-breathing-pen]

To the little girl, around whom I feel alright..

From the heart of someone, who's shy to wave hi's,

From the soul of someone, who's afraid of good-bye's.

There's a much too little, a little too much- I've got to say,

Even though I'm scared, I shall begin, so shall I may?

Cherishing beautiful moments, even fighting on the some,

It makes my face red, to just think how far we've come.

From tying the friendship bands, to tying those bonds at heart,

This journey, recorded somewhere, is surely a piece of art.

This is an attempt, to thread the golden times we've spent,

And if some shall make you angry, know that love was all I meant.

For years you've been, my go to place for bliss,

And lord, I could never tell you, how much you, I miss.

A little convo we'd do, and waves of joy would flood to me,

I'm a writer, little girl, your words are blood to me.

May the clocks stop ticking, the day you smile the most,

Do you remember that day, when we raised a virtual toast?

May we remain together, in days of sunshines, and raining dogs and cats,

How can I not remember, those funny convos in the chats.

Yes those were the initial days, those days 'it' took a start,

They look so small from today, as they're miles apart.

Unknowingly, you've been the healer, on times I've fallen ill,

On the most depressing of the situations, you've helped me chill.

From a small shady corner, to owning most of the land, of my heart,

For years you've been, and shall remain, the muse of my art.

The beast people know, wouldn't be known, if you hadn't made him brave,

You've held these hands, when they thought of jumping in the grave.

Were in different sections, but couldn't resist those solving of doubt,

Do you remember the reason we met? you know who I'm talking about.

See that's why I say, you understand me better than anyone,

I didn't mention a name, yet you guessed it in a singleton.

Anyways, do you remember the breaks, we'd plan to be free,

And the location were planned too, the statue and my tree.

You never came alone though, which caused me a lot to blush,

Still, those meetings felt like dealings, so there was a usual rush.

To the little girl, who's every single picture taken, literally looks cute,

And her nagging of not getting a picture, would usually make me mute.

I still imagine the days, you asked me what to post at ends,

And we'd go on buzzing for hours, about teachers and lost friends.

Remember the day, we met outside your class, for an issue of fevicol?,

I still remember the voice, you spoke with my mom to, the first time on call.

Yes, it was your birthday then, the day I smiled a lot,

I still remember the panic, in a locus full of girls, I was the lone dot.

See where nostalgia brings me, to memory of days I broke in a million ways,

And if hope's a word girl, your presence were the only rays.

Whenever the world was there, showing off its evilest claws,

You were there to hold me, to help fight those unjust laws.

The bands you tied, weren't confined to wrists, they went upto my heart,

Yes, distances grew sometimes, but they could never set us apart.

I wish the day shall never come, when distances would succeed,

Girl keep my words burried, in your heart's soil as a seed.

So that if some day comes, when there are dark clouds full of glooms,

We shall know us forever, through those flowery blooms.

I didn't had one, Thumbs up was never the favorite drink of mine,

But it became, and about you is all I think, on drinking it everytime.

Infact, everytime I go shopping, I wish "you were here",

Wouldn't it have been different, if you just had been there.

Oh how similar are our likings, and not to speak of hates,

I still stand amazed, how similar are things to which both of us relates.

You've a beautiful skill set, which I really really praise and adore,

I just pray we stay like this, together through sweet and sour.

You've seen me smile, you've seen me cry,

But unlike the others, you never gave back stabbing a try.

To the kindest soul, whose eyes are the most beautiful cage,

Your English looks cute, especially when you're in rage.

Nah nah, that doesn't mean you should get angry, its just said for fun,

Remember, others are just twinkling stars, while you're my sun.

You are the notes to my music, the ink to my pens,

The shine in my eyes, and the 'time' to my 'whens'.

You, yes you're the jeweler who knows preciousness of my tears,

Yes, you are the one, who stood with me in fighting my fears.

I even tried destructing my arts, thinking my hands can no longer play,

But you were there to motivate me, and I build it again from clay.

Up into your arms hence, I surrender it all, if I've got a fame,

My museum can't get enough, of your calligraphed name.

In the coldest of the seasons, you've been my glove,

In the busiest of the months, you've been my dove.

The watchables you recommend, I see you in the lead,

To you hence I associate, every learning or good deed.

To every single of those kdramas, watching which my heart sank,

I just can't, even if I try to, give you a complete thank.

You are who I look forward to, whether its light or its dark,

You are who I want to talk to, whether the topic is dull or a spark.

You're the one from whom, I just can't hide any of my lies,

You're the one who filled colours in the monotonous skies.

Even on days everyone left me, and to talk me noone would dare,

You were right there, beside me, showering all of that care.

To the little girl, around whom I feel alright,

Together we shall climb, any of the height.

So remember girl, if you're sad, or if you ever feel down,

I'll reach you, surely, from anywhere around the town.

If your heart ever feels dry, I shall come as rain,

And if it shall somehow break, I'll put it together again.

My words shall became waters, that wash off all the pains,

And become balloons, to celebrate all the gains.

Whether its a snowstorm there, or a day that's melting hot,

I'll always be there for you, no matter what.

May ages remember this tale of ours, may it becomes a folk lore,

And yes the moon's beautiful, but you, way wayyyy more.

If I'm an eye, then you're the sight,

And remember this moon is nothing without you, moonlight.

I can write more, without stopping about you for ages and ages,

But I don't want to out-spill all of my love, in these literary pages.

The journey shall never, its just some lines that are gonna end,

At last I just want to thank you, for all the together time we've spend.

Know that you're loved, and don't you ever feel alone,

Know that whenever you want, there's someone on the phone.

May all the waters dry, from the great valley of Nile,

But you, my girl, never forget, How to smile...🥀

[suugrbunz]

Hey! 💝anon here.. That was me giving tips earlier.. Been back on Tumblr for just a couple days, clearing out my old account, saying hellos to old online friends. Thank you, so much, for how you inspired my story last year. You motivated me - so much!

The story finished. I adidn’t do a huge amount with Maureen & Lyam’s relationship; they had a few more moments together, bonding & learning to trust & appreciate each other. Their final moment in the story was their first kiss! (I can send a snippet if you’d like?)

I turned 19 last year (so, a bit younger than you I suppose :)) It’s been good, getting offline. It’s given me more time to do other things; learn gardening from an elderly relative, do some singing (on my own lol), spend time with my family, learn about things that interest me.

Anyway. Hope you’re doing okay and taking care of yourself, and you can find ways to make life easier, whatever those ways are. 

I understand about the streaming service thing. My family usually just watch cheap second hand DVDs (charity shop sells 20 DVDs for £1!), and occasionally use the cheaper version of Netflix (with ads). I use Internet Archive (archive.org) for books and films (manly older, lesser known films), it’s free, so that’s a good option. 

And totally, get away from Instagram & TikTok! If you think you’d be happier without it, drop it! People online can be really nasty. I quit looking at Reddit, & basically all comments, last year after I suffered a deep depression (due to peoples’ extremely nasty comments toward a part of lgbt that I identify with) Doing a lot better now. 

IDK, and it’s not my business, but hope something works for you. The best people, the ones worth knowing, are those who appreciate character and kindness over consumerist beauty ideals (I say consumerist cause it’s in my belief that we’re pretty well brainwashed to think “perfect looking” people look good; a way of getting people to keep buying makeup they don’t need and the latest fashions)

Ahh, hope this isn’t too much, I write fast and am only basing this all off a couple posts I saw you made, so I’m real sorry if it’s too much! I’ve got a ton of spare time today so I’m just rambling. 

I can’t be coming back to online socialising like I used to, as it took up so much of my limited spare time last year, so this is a rarity, just to say hello. Hugs 🫂 

💝anon

i literally cried seeing it was you— i was noshing on a gyro, crying alone in the kitchen. I have hereditary depression, so it won't get better. It'll always be there. It's just worse than normal lately. Hoping it'll calm down, I wrote and edited some of my book today.

This is like writing a lovely old pen pal, ah, it's nearly therapeutic. I think of you often. I'm nearing tears as i write this because something about talking to you has felt so homeward bound. I love archive, that's how I watched the clash movie, Rude Boy! I have some unread books I wish to finish, one is kafka and the other is khalil gibran. You should see the khalil gibran book, it has such an ornate cover.

I adopted a cat since we've last spoken, she was beside my neighbours house during a storm. I had been taking out my dog and heard her meowing. When i approached her, she immediately came to me. Oh, her name is Laila, she's a tortoise shell.

I definitely have to agree, we are brainwashed constantly to see aging as a sign of lost beauty. Similarly, we are taught that our bodies are never enough because whatever the trend is— it isn't for a girl with an hourglass body. I told my mother the other night, through lots of tears i have never truly loved myself. I mean, around puberty is when confidence develops, at least in my opinion. I got bullied for my body developing into what it now is. So, you can imagine what eating disorder shit i go through because of it. Only fueled by my mother also having a fucked up perception of body-image as well. I am trying my best to understand that my value is an independent variable from the weight on a scale.

Please send me all the writing you wish to, I remember loving your writing. I started publishing my book, but it's completely different. I had to change everything; it was going nowhere. I couldn't get a plot to stitch together. I was nearly at the point of deleting it. Then, out of the blue, I woke up after some dream and was like— "what if I used tamino as a faceclaim? What if x, y, z?". Soooo, i ended up experimenting with it and i actually followed through on replacing nick (i want to implement him in the new book tbh, i miss him). Ah, i hope you find the time to read the chapters I have published... that is if you want to read them, truly there is no pressure there. Again though; please send me your work.

[fallouttboy]

having 2ourdust feelings. what is this blog if not my livejournal.

i still have nashville coming but going to austin for fob is one of the greatest, most emotional moments of my life. i had never been to texas, save for a moment when i was a kid, but that doesn’t count because i only remember what my mother has told me.

it all started kind of funny. one of my best friends lives in texas and we met through here, i went to his blog and quite literally slid into his dms and our relationship bloomed from there. i realized when i talked to him that i really have been missing the feeling of having a best friend, the love and affection and trust that comes with it. the countless nights we stayed up too late and the days where i sent him voice memos of me sobbing and he’d send his own crises back. it wasn’t bad. it was really, unbelievably amazing to have a relationship like that.

we bonded over fob immediately. so when they announced 2ourdust, obviously we both jumped on the closest city to us. i cracked a “haha what if i also come to austin” and that (obviously) stopped being slash j and i wound up staying a few nights at his apartment.

and he would’ve been enough. getting to go to texas would’ve been good enough. great, amazing even. but then i met my partner through him, and she wound up coming too.

i’ve never been to a concert with friends before. i’m reclusive and weird about truly letting myself go in front of people. it scares me. me and my partner snuck up to row three and i can’t dwell on it or i will cry. it doesn’t feel real. none of this feels fucking real. it feels like i’m dreaming and ill wake up and it’ll be back before i started talking to my friend. i’ll wake up in some chicago hotel after the tourdust show and ill have to go back home to the things i have gotten through and left in the past. it’ll be like time never passed at all, that everything i have lived from june 22 until now has all been fake.

being held around the hip by my partner. sharing looks of excitement and bewilderment and shock at the setlist. her holding me as i swayed.

i was so scared of being judged and left by my friends that i forgot it doesn’t fucking matter. concerts are stimming for me; the bass, the ability to jump and scream and flap my hands and stomp my feet. it’s all things i hide, used to doing in my own time, never in front of people. certainly not people who are important to me.

i’ve never been that close to a stage in an arena setting. i’m used to nosebleeds. seeing the arm hairs on them, the details and shading and age of jack skellington on pete’s arm, andy pinching his cymbal during crazy train. the singer from jimmy eat world shaking his head like a dog and seeing the sweat fling around.

to me, music is religion. it is spiritual. concerts are worshipping; worship of the band, yes, but also that sort of terrifying beautiful moment i can never tell the reality of. the moment in (christian) services where someone is so overcome with their love for god that they drop to their knees and weep, arms in the air, pumping and waving like god will come reach down and touch their hands. not too dissimilar to how pete holds with the crowd during saturday.

[lexallisonthailandtrip]

The final two days in Chiang Mail were absolutely incredible ! On the 30th, we got picked up from our hotel and drove an hour out to the mountains north of the city to visit the Elephant Nature Camp. There are tons of elephant experiences around, but we researched the ethics of this camp and there’s even a documentary about the woman who started this project. She’s saved over 1000 elephants from poor tourism practices, over-riding and over-working. According to our tour guide, Having just 1 elephant makes you incredibly rich in Thailand but there aren’t many regulations on who can own so, a lot of people have no idea how to actually care for an elephant. They need 10% of their body weight in food every single day. This place orders 5 truckloads of bananas a day, plus rice and watermelon and sweet corn, the list goes on.

When we arrived we joined up with a group of 8 others who would be feeding and hiking with the elephants. To start out, We walked around the main camp and got to meet at least 10 different elephants. And we found out quickly how quiet elephants are, a couple of them walked right up behind us without us noticing while our tour guide was talking … it was a little terrifying turning around and seeing a 4 ton animal walking directly at you looking for a snack.

Elephants don’t look real. Even up close, it’s just hard to believe what you’re looking at and that a living walking breathing thing can be that massive…

After getting slightly more comfortable with the elephants, our guide walked us across a bridge over the river to the exclusive side. There, we met Saintong, Meadow, and Tatow. Elephants that were 55, 45, and 70 years old respectively. They’d all been working their entire lives and were bought to spend the rest of their lives healing in this camp. We made snowballs of rice and bananas and shoved it right into their mouth, and sliced watermelon and either put it in their mouth or handed it to their trunk and they’d transport it to their mouths. So fun! I bonded with Saintong, who the tour guide said is usually slower to open up to humans but, elephants are like a mirror - “she’s nice because you’re nice.” What a great compliment!

After the feeding we got banana bags and hiked with the three elephants through the jungle, feeding the bananas to them along the way. The elephants stayed below while we hiked up a hill with an amazing view of the jungle and river below, and dangled our feet off the edge while eating an amazing vegan lunch that had been prepared by the camp staff.

When we finished lunch, it was time for the elephants daily shower. We walked down to the river and led them in with bananas and watermelon, then tossed buckets full of water on their back to help them shower! Amazing experience watching the water glide down through the grooves in their skin, and the photographer and I started a water fight with the buckets.

Once we got out of the river, the elephants immediately started tossing dirt on their backs - protection from the sun! We hiked back through the jungle, and learned all about the trees and plants and the dogs that hiked with us the entire time. One plant was just like avatar - you touch the leaves and it closes right up! We hit up the gift store, I got a tshirt and met the oldest elephant at the park - 97 years old!!

Leaving the camp for our drive back - it still was hard to believe what we’d just experienced. Even now, looking at photos it seems like a dream! That day slingshotted elephants into my top spot for favorite animals. They are so cool!

We made it back to Chiang mai in the afternoon and grabbed the complimentary dinner from the hotel, jumped in the pool, then walked to the temple across the street to see it at night, and then off to the ChiangMai cowboy - an American bar in town, then a bookstore, and listened to live music at another bar!

Another top ten day!

The final full day in Chiang Mai was New Year’s Eve to celebrate the start of 2024! We woke up and went for a jog, had the amazing hotel breakfast, and lounged by the pool. Allison got a pina colada, I had a Chang, and we got our afternoon tea set - again, compliments of the hotel. At 5pm the hotel organized a show of traditional Thai music and dance. They were little kids, maybe 8-14 years old and put on a fun little show while we had drinks and small bites in the lobby. They invited people up from the crowd for the final dance - A great start to the evening!

After the show, we were planning on going to the east gate where we’d heard that everyone releases lanterns into the sky to celebrate the end of one year, and write wishes on the outside for hopes in the year to come. So, we started heading out and it also happened to be the Sunday night market - a complete coincidence that it coincided with NYE! So, we walked through about 2 miles of snacks, clothing, art, and anything you could possibly imagine was for sale. We stopped at the shooting gallery, then for coconut ice cream, waffles, posed for a picture with a scorpion on a stick (neither of us were brave enough to try!), and searched practically every clothing stand for a black long sleeve linen shirt for Allison to wear! Super fun. At one point We stopped at a rooftop bar for a couple drinks, and just watched the crowd pass - playing I-Spy for different folks in the crowd.

As we walked, we were having a great time but we’re actually a little discouraged. Multiple locals told us they didn’t think the lanterns were being released this year and even acted as if they had no idea what we were talking about. We were told the lantern festival happens in November, and no lateens on NYE…but the internet told us otherwise!

When we stopped for coconut ice cream, that’s when we first saw lanterns floating up into the sky. We were both immediately excited, and got up quickly to find out where it was happening! We snaked through the crowd, and finally saw tons of people lighting and releasing lanterns just past the east gate, over the canal that surrounds the old city square. We tried to find someone that would sell one to us, we looked at a store, then asked people until one couple was nice enough to give us a lantern! I bought matches earlier in the day, so we were all set! We lit our lantern, launched it in the sky, and made our wish for the year ahead! A perfect conclusion to our honeymoon, another top 10 day, and our buckets are filled up to the brim from all of the amazing experiences in this trip. We’re recharged and even a little excited and ready to come back home. We miss our pups!

Happy 2024!

[gatheryourpearls]

Tomorrow will mark one year.

The pain of losing you is still so fresh. I know, I know...with dogs, it's expected that we wouldn't have you forever...but it doesn't make losing you any easier.

Today is Friday... and when we let you go, it was a Friday...the hardest Friday we had to endure. We miss you so much, buddy. We all do.

Last November was one of the hardest months of our lives...there was so much change that pawps and I didn't know how to handle...so much change that we didn't want to happen. We wanted to keep you longer...So you could be there for the last Christmas... our wedding.. another birthday...and maybe, in the midst of it, time could stop and let you stay with us much longer...

November 4, 2022...we saw you take your last breath. The room was cold but we had warmed it up for you. We woke up to dread, knowing today was the day. Right up to the hours before I was asking pawps if this was the right decision... my heart couldn't handle how life would be with you gone...you finally slept some..a rare occurrence...we still had to syringe feed you and you hated it.... you struggled to stand up let alone, use the restroom...there was such guilt...that we had to say goodbye without getting you a proper backyard to run in, a proper home.. to allow you the opportunity to reap what you had sown. I remember rushing around town to get last minute items for your paw prints... and each minute I was away from you, I felt guilty...how I was wasting your precious last moments running around town... but I'd rather me than pawps. And in a last minute decision I decided roast pork was something you had to have. Was I scared you'd not want it and break my heart? Yes. But you never let us down. Of course, you wanted it. Desperately trying to eat the pieces of pork we fed you...the room was warm and the air thick with sadness. Our eyes puffy and your energy depleted. Luna, aloof but somehow seemingly aware of the gravity of the situation, serving as comic relief when we needed it.

We shares snuggles.

Then, your aunties and uncles came over. Already? Is it already time? It is. They snuggled you.. pet your head. You didn't respond with earnest as you had been..they start crying. We all do. They take pictures of us...the final ones. We wear fake smiles while our hearts feel like ripping apart. Your head dangles, too weak to hold up. It really was time.

Your aunties and uncles leave the room...I go out in a panic..."are we making the right decision??" Your favorite auntie says plainly "Yes." I hold back tears because I know she's right....

The doctor arrives. He doesn't look all that scary and yet what he does will break us. The room, once filled with emotions, is now stale and clinical. We try small talk as though this was just another routine visit...it wasn't.

Quicker than I was ready for...he injects you with a sedative. And soon after, he does the second injection. You yelp in pain after the first one and your body grows limp in pawps arms...we comfort you, we reassure you how you're the best boy, how it will all be okay...and then when you were gone but your body still warm, we cry out in grief. Your sister is let in and she protects you so valiantly...she accuses everyone in there of hurting you....she wasn't wrong...she loved you so much. She stood guard once she smelled you and knew what had happened... you taught her so well and formed such a strong bond with her...thank you for accepting her as your own...for stepping back and letting her shine.

You were gone so quickly I rushed to say my goodbyes but it never seemed enough...

Then we took our last pictures...which felt morbid... and then he took you away....and before he did, he took off your collar and handed it to us...that's all we had left of you...your body that I had adorned with ridiculous costumes and outfits and jackets...was now just a brown-gray limp body that this stranger took away...your naked body...it felt so wrong that we let this stranger take you away and in a fashion so devoid of your personality...nothing to let the world know "this was Boomer! He was quiet but kind. He was feisty but fair. He hated costumes but but loved mama so much he always wore them without complaints. He loved snacks and chasing squirrels. He was grumpy but loved his sister and would let her lick his ears. He had zoomies in wide open spaces. He was the best and most efficient restroom user. He had a very good stand and could learn tricks at any age if it meant snacks...he loved his family. He was content. He was the best boy. He got compliments wherever he went even though he never tried for them. He was the best travel companion...and he was known for unconditional love and acceptance of his humans."....when he took you away, it was like a part of me had gone with you. I regret leaving your sister alone afterwards while we went out for dinner. We should have eaten in. It was traumatic for her too. She had lost her best friend, her brudder, the one she took lead from. And we just left her. I feel so bad.

We miss you every day..I relive that day often. Especially when it's rainy or when there's a rainbow. Some people say it's just a dog...but you spent 18 yrs with pawps, and you spent nearly every day with me for nearly 2.5 years...you weren't just a dog. You were our little boy. My little shadow. You were family. We miss you so much, my sweet boy. You taught us so much and we are better parents to Luna because of you. Thank you, sweet boy.

I'll be missing you for always. Though I know you had to go...I know you were tired...I just still miss your quiet presence. I hope you're having fun up there. I love you, my Boomer.

P.s. here's a picture of your sister comforting me. Don't worry, she still barks at inappropriate times knowing it will make me laugh and bring me back down to earth. She is like you in a lot of ways.

[the-mist-striders]

Episode 4: The World's Most Sort-of Competent Pallbearers

Note: So dm did a little rewinding, not a retcon because it didn't break anything we did, but he did allow a character moment between the siblings Lucerian and Fauna since they were pretending to not know Amalia and Kai since Amalia was screaming about wanting to kill the entire family inside as Kai was trying to drag her out as the father is threatening Amahlia with a broom

Fauna is fucking pissed that Lucerian tried to sacrifice himself. Lucerian defends his actions, saying he wanted to be sure Fauna could make it out of the murder house, and he knew he could trust the rest if the party to sacrifice themselves

So Lucerian promises to never do that again.

He did however also ask her why she bonded with the crazy lady and not the more tame blind lady

Fauna had no idea Amalia was a crazy bitch, thought she only threatened to kill the kids, beat the shit out of empty suits of armor, and murdered the taxidermy wolves because the house was a weird situation

#ah ignorance is bliss

Fauna says “I just hope we won't have to betray them, like with our last party” 

It's a Shame Kai an/or Amalia were distracted and didn't hear that

#cant meta-game

Fast forwarding through the already established scenes in the general goods store and to where we left off- heading to the inn

The town looks desolate

Some of the homes look ransacked

Some look boarded up

In the window of a boarded up home we spot someone moving around inside 

Normal shit

The town is colorless and dreary. Like twilight with its blue filter except the filter is piss yellow

An old woman in the distance is pushing a cart, knocks on a door, the family cautiously answers.

The old lady sells pies apparently

And the family is addicted to the stuff

So much so that they're in debt to the old woman

They make up for it by lending their first born (a 6 year old) to the old lady to do housework

Normal stuff

Kai doesn't trust anyone. Is convinced the pies are spiked

Amahlia theorizes that she's using children in her pies

Fauna just wants a pie

Kai used detect poison, she asked specific questions and was reading her internal reactions in order to sus out why the fuck a family would be this addicted to pies

It turns to a conversation about the town and Count Strahd, whose castle is visible from there in the mountains

She implies that every night something happens. Refuses to elaborate. Says it's beyond description

#wow thanks

Pie lady talks about how Strahd is a cruel demon of a ruler

Fauna buys an apple pie

Amahlia hands the lady her tarot card and asks what's up with the card

Old lady is reading the message on the card

Not realizing that Amahlia is fucking running away

Old lady is innocently confused as to why that happens. Asks Kai to bring it back to her. Kai declines, says it tends to find its own way back, thus wrapping up this interaction

In the distance there's a wailing. The dog (Lancelot Is reacting. Struggling against Fauna's carrier. Fauna is reluctant to bring the puppy home but alas Kai convinces her it's the right thing to do

His owner is loudly wailing "GERTRUDA" In her home. Answering the door when Kai knocks, Fauna hands Lancelot over. The woman requests we find her daughter Gertruda. Gives no clues except for a very shitty doll with botched bodily proportions and an awkward smug look drawn on its face.

For some reason Kai is the one the mother requests this from and ends up putting the doll in her satchel

(Why are characters who are supposed to be quiet always end up doing more of the talking?

then again nobody in the party has the charisma skill.

Totally won't end up biting us in the ass at some point)

After that's done Fauna does decide to try discussing Amahlias behavior

She says "have you ever heard the phrase 'it's easier to attract ants to honey than to vinegar"

Amahlia blinks "what the fuck is Honey"

Turns out Amahlia lives on a diet of salted pork

Kai chimes in to help convince Amahlia to be less crazy

We reach a compromise to where we with a password of sorts can permit Amahlia to go apeshit. Using "honey" for "pls keep it together " and vinegar  (or "smash") for when Amahlia should be intimidating and violent

Causing Amahlia to start speaking in an extremely fake and exaggerated chipper voice with a smile that doesn't reach the eyes. As a side note I would like to add that every-time she talks this way Amahlia rolls for intimidation because of how terrifying it is.

They head to the inn and this creeps out the bartender as we discuss rooms + a thing to bathe in since they all smell like sewage water

#squad goals

The bartender/ innkeep is like a DMV worker. His soul is gone, his eyebags dark with a voice void of cheer. He's always "cleaning" a glass using a rag that's actually not very clean

Takes some persuasion to get a room, since this town fukin hates outsiders

In the corner there are some well dressed folks making fun of a guy who looks like Heath Ledger in a language none of the party speaks

One of them- a guy who resembled that one guy who got kicked out of Saudi Arabia (?) For being too handsome approaches Kai, nearly killing her instantly

(This guy)

Kai internally again (bass boosted)

She has a weakness for handsome rogues + a certain condition that is out of her control.

He has his hand on her shoulder and asks her to come talk with him and his Troupe of strangely not dreary lads

Alexa play wake me up inside.

Amahlia saves Kai's ass (literally) by in a fucking fake cheery voice saying "oh she's not social :)))"

Guy says "that's too bad" winks at Kai and fucks right off

Pictured: Kai internally

Very weakly says "thank you"

the girls are bonding guis

He tries again when Kai is away from the group

She pulls out 2 cloths, shoves one in her mouth balled up, and wraps the other around her mouth and fucking book's it for her room. Yes this is a very normal reaction, Kai is fine guys.

Meanwhile heath ledger asks Lucerian to take the group to his family manor later

Dm asks me "Kai doing anything before bed" with a shit eating grin

I with a straight face respond "oh the usual"

Nobody at the table questions it.

Btw Kai called dibs on the single room

That night everyone else ate at the bar. Fauna is the only one that trusts the pies. Kai lives on a diet inspired by Kellogg himself, eating a raw and unseasoned potato because spices and sweets are too horny

Fauna mentions that they keep having her pay for shit

Amahlia reaches Into her pocket to pay her back

Pulls out tarot card

Amahlia just drops it to the floor and goes back into her pouch

Pays her back (yay)

She wakes up with her blind fold off

Feels her face and in horror realizes that her *situation* has gotten worse over night.

That these lands are effecting her condition and may be speeding it up

Because of this *condition* her original blindfold no longer fits on her head. She with a heavy heart gets out another blind fold that she carried around just in case this happened. It’s a tighter fit and covers the top half of her head, including the bridge of her nose.

Shaken, she leaves her room, Fauna notices the shape of her head is different.  Bizarrely flat around the eyes

Fauna asks if she can help in some way (not knowing what the fuck is even going on)

Kai is too shaken to speak. She just shakes her head

Fauna being a true bro knows she doesn't want to be touched, just sends good vibes that Kai can sense

She appreciatively nods her head

Coincidently my dice rolls started to suck, which we easily say is because she's shaken from the speeding up of her death

So as all of this is happening, the new character Cinderell’s player made to replace Cinderell walks into a bar

The well dressed people go as white as a sheet

"You're supposed to be dead"

They do the superstitious equivalent of making a cross on your chest

Well... cultural equivalent

Her name is Liliya. 

Liliya doesn't remember much of who she is

Turns out the well dressed bitches are "Vistani" (I hope I spelled it correctly) outsiders in Barovia (where we currently are)

Her Vistani pals are sus about their friend being alive

Liliya is a stranger to the party, but she feels like she recognizes them

Another odd thing about Liliya is the holy symbol she is wearing

It's Cinderell's holy symbol

Liliya notes that something about this group makes her feel.. familiar... but it reminds her of a place surrounded with water.

Kai feels sus, so she rummaged through Cinderell's gear (which he left with her before sacrificing himself on an alar) and pulls out his signet ring

Liliya looks at it, tenses up and shoves it away.

#hmmm

Kai bribes the bartender for further details on whatever the event at night is that everyone keeps referring to in vague ways.. Bartender mentions that they should be fine as long as they don't join the parade

Kai also plays detective and asks around for details on Gertruda and her disappearance. Doesn't really learn anything new, just that people think she ran away into the mist and that they're sure Strahd got to her and she's as good as dead

Also Getruda is like. 17.

Kool

The people bullying Heath Ledger invite us to go with them to meet a woman named Madam Ava. They agree to do it tomorrow after they visit heath ledgers manor to see what he wants

Manor looks like shit

No windows

Blood splatter

Scratches all over the exterior walls

#ideal summer home

Cautiously heath ledger let's us into his totally legit house

Walls are also covered in holy symbols

#interesting

Also there's a dead body in a casket

Its starting to rot

Very normal

Liliya originally doesn't follow us, she doesn't know us and doesn't trust us. But does change her mind when given a strong feeling that we were going to die unless she came to help

me hearing the Dm say this as a player:

So the gist of Heath Ledger's deal;

His actual name is Ismark, and his sister's name is Ireena. He and his sister were once a powerful family who fell from grace, their father is dead and they wish to bury him in the family crypt.. an entire block away

They need help because no matter what time of day or night people harass them. So they need the help if some fighters to keep away danger

Oh and Heath Ledger's sister was visited by Strahd one night (has a visible vampire bite too) and suspiciously the minions of Strahd who keep assaulting the house don't attack her

Nothing suspicious for us to be concerned for

We agree to help them after tugging on our heart strings

4 of us are carrying the casket

Kai and Fauna are watching for attackers

Because uh

apparently at night the streets are full of wolves and angry bats

Fauna at the back keeps the wolves at bay

Bats are attacking us from above

A bat rips Kai's face covering off, but everyone is too preoccupied to notice yet

Suddenly I get higher rolls again. Ig Kai just has nothing to lose at this point

Kai does also keep wolves at bay

The church is a few steps away. The pallbearers are exhausted

A priest is dragging something long and oddly shaped into the church. We're close behind and make it inside

The party sees what she was covering up this whole time

A vanta black void that seems to go on forever where her eyes and upper bridge of the nose should be, the edges revealing bits of bone and tissue

Everyone ( except heath ledger and his sister who aren't looking) did not know what to expect, but it certainly wasn't that.

Fauna just

Gives her a shirt she can wrap her head with

An act of compassion- but I did for a sec interpret it as "o_o... cover that back up"

The crew is yelling for the priest to grant the dead guy his last rights

He says he’s too busy and won’t tell us why

After Liliya threatens to do the rites instead he finally agrees to help

The party then hears a loud "FATHER I’M HUNGRY"

I have a feeling the voice isn't asking for the priest to go get Mcdonalds

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